Published On June 4th, 2019, Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital presided over the press conference on the 1st Thailand Accomplishment in three stem-cell treatments in Cornea. The press conference was witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Ngamkae Ruangvaravate, Chairwoman of Department of Ophthalmology, Assoc. Prof. Pinnita Tanthuvanit, Head of Cornea and Refractive Surgery Division, Assoc. Prof. Pattama Ekpo from Research Department and Stem cell transplant team. The press conference was held at Chulabhorn conference room, 2nd floor, Syamindra Building, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.
Dean Watanapa explained that Siriraj has successfully accomplished in ophthalmology treatment by using stem-cell transplantation after 12 years of development. From research to treatment, the development displays the well-being of ophthalmology patients, solving the public health issue, improve the quality of lives, and leverage the research to the international arena. The Dean continued that the three-stem cell development method has started since 2007; CLET (Cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation); COMET (Cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation) in 2008; and SLET (Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation) in 2014. In nowadays, and for the first time in Thailand, Siriraj is available to provide three options for patients in treating ocular surface burns by using the above methods, saving time and cost, depending on patients’ condition.
